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What Happened to Our Country?
Townhall.com ^ | January 21, 2013 | Bruce Bialosky

Posted on 01/21/2013 8:08:40 AM PST by Kaslin

When people reminisce about what America used to be like, some act scornfully toward us. They say living in a Donna Reed world was great for a few, but that there were many suffering souls. The way our country is today makes some of us long for those days which seemed so innocent compared to the harsh, cruel, coarse, and sometimes murderous days we exist in today.

Yet most would argue that there were still injustices when we were growing up fifty years ago. Black people who had been freed a century before were still not treated equally in most parts of the country. Many women were limited in their businesses, political, and professional opportunities. And if they did enter any of those careers, they were capped as to what they could achieve. Few would want a return to those aspects of days past. Yet they would seem almost welcome compared to the experiences we have had in Newtown, Aurora and Tucson.

Even though now more than a month has passed, the pain of what happened in Sandy Hook Elementary school stills burns deeply in our hearts. There were some who started assigning blame for what happened within days which was clearly indecent during a national mourning period. Yes, we need to find paths to resolve the deep divisions that trouble this country. But will that really take us back to a simpler time? After all, the residents of Newtown likely lived there to avoid all this cultural degradation and live a “Leave It to Beaver” life where the biggest challenges were errant children chewing gum in class.

A yearning exists for the days when children rode their bikes to schools, which were open with flowing green fields where they frolicked under minimal supervision. Now children are escorted by grownups to their schools, which are fenced in and then locked down. Remember even at Sandy Hook the school was locked down at 9:30 each morning, just as almost all elementary schools are today.

What does it say to the children of our country that they have to be escorted everywhere they go? Are they left to think that wherever they go there are people in uniforms providing security and their parents are on a constant vigil watching them? What kind of country have we passed to them?

That we cannot as the grownups in this society come to some agreement of how to resolve this only makes matters worse. With every single massacre, we instantaneously divide into two camps. There are those who immediately shriek that it was the gun at fault, completely ignoring the other societal factors that brought a deranged madman to execute an unfathomable act. Then there are those who argue that there exists nothing that we can do to keep the means of mass murder out of the hands of these freaks.

Come on folks, we can do something about this, but the suggestion by Wayne LaPierre of the NRA to put armed guards on all campuses seems so distasteful. Already an estimated third of our children go to schools that have armed guards. We should not unreasonably restrict our Second Amendment rights because of these maniacs, but putting our kids on lock down would just make matters so much more obscene.

We have not yet had a coherent conversation about how to move forward. The people who want more gun control lurch into nonsensical talk about bazookas or tanks with very little knowledge of guns or how they function. People like the editor of the Journal News (Westchester area of New York), who listed the names and addresses of local gun owners in the newspaper, display to what extent the left will go to restrict gun ownership. They are scary as their actions are reminiscent of command and control countries that totally restrict gun rights.

Some people do not understand that there is a difference regarding gun owners. It is not like obtaining a driver’s license. That is a privilege. The right to own a gun is embedded in our Constitution. It is there for a reason. The unrepentant Caryn A. McBride, Editor of the Journal News which listed the home addresses of prison guards and district attorneys in her cause to restrict gun ownership, scares us and should scare you. It brings into question the rationale for a federal gun registry when ownership is a right not a privilege.

Yet, there are things that are just not going right. We have lost sight of the faith, family, and community that built this country. Our government has become too big yet cannot even confront the truly mentally ill among us. As Charles Murray taught us in his most recent book, Coming Apart, even our rock solid middle-class communities are falling apart. The amount of children being raised without proper parenting is just appalling. And when people do get married, far too many are getting divorced for their own selfish reasons while thinking their children will be just fine. Boys need fathers and not just as appendages.

Never being a fan of video games, we would just as soon trash them, but that would be a First Amendment problem. Yet, when politicians decry weapons, they should really assault the culture vultures who sell these games that desensitize young males. Our President booted this issue to be studied in his recent proposal. That means zero will happen on this aspect of the problem. Why do we have to hear this nonsense that only protects these products? Moral suasion still works as has been effective with cigarette smoking, so why can’t we do the same with these disgusting games? Why do parents acquiesce to allow the constant devolution of young male minds?

You may wonder why so many people bemoan our current culture and hark back to happier times. Maybe it is not as bucolic as we paint it, but our children certainly lived a more innocent existence. What our goal should be is to bring all children to those wonderful times instead of bringing every child down to the lowest common denominator. The innocence of childhood can never be devalued. It can only be lost. Let’s not have the innocence of another group of youngsters lost like we have at Sandy Hook. Let’s show some leadership.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Editorial
KEYWORDS: acultureoflife; guncontrol; guns; safetyandsecurity; secondamendment
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To: CottShop

I bet you have more than me! How dare you lecture me?

PS Spell check, LOL


101 posted on 01/22/2013 9:41:58 AM PST by donna (Pray for revival.)
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To: donna

Don’t bet on it- unless you’re homeless with no incoem whatsoever, you’ll no doubt lose that bet


102 posted on 01/22/2013 9:47:30 AM PST by CottShop (Scientific belief does not constitute scientific evidence, nor does it convey scientific knowledge)
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To: donna

Don’t bet on it- unless you’re homeless with no incoem whatsoever, you’ll no doubt lose that bet- and again- I foudn irony in the comment- excuse me for expressing my opinion- I didn’t realize that expressing an opinion abotu osmethign I found ironic was goign to touch such a nerve- I did NOT say I was put off by what keneedy said, I simpyl foudn it ironic- don’t worry- I wasn’t belittling your favorite president- take it easy- take a breath- and try to realize that peopel aren’t as awestruck about kennedy as you apparently are-


103 posted on 01/22/2013 9:51:54 AM PST by CottShop (Scientific belief does not constitute scientific evidence, nor does it convey scientific knowledge)
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To: JustSayNoToNannies

“With higher doses and with certain unstable or susceptible individuals, marijuana can produce extreme euphoria, hilarity, and overtalkativeness, but it can also produce intense anxiety and depression as well as delusions, hallucination, and other psychotic-like experiences. Evidenced suggests a strong relationship between daily marijuana use and the occurrence of psychotic symptoms (Raphael et al., 2005 = Comorbidity: Cannabis and complexity. J. Psychiat. Pract., 11(3), 161-76.)

Text: Butcher, J.N., Mineka, S., Hooley, J, Abnormal Psych 14th edition.

Most users wouldn’t have this reaction, however, most people are responsible gun users.


104 posted on 01/22/2013 9:52:59 AM PST by huldah1776
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To: donna

it seems to me donna that you spend a good maount of your time on FR looking for peopel to pounce on- it isn’t bad enough that the right has to deal with the idiocy on the left, but apaprently we also have to make usre that whatever we say in a cosnervative website meets with the approval of peopel liek yourself? I made a reamrk abotu a liberal, findign irony in the statementment made by the man of means, and yo obviously took offense to the fact that I would dare say aynthign but complimentary statements abotu him- one has to wonder what side you’re really on? Yes, kennedy was a ‘better liberal’ than today’s liberals- we all get that- however, he was STILL a liberal-

Yes, life was so much better ‘in the old days’ yes, peopel today don’t deserve to have opinions because peopel in times past were so much better people’ Yes, peopel today have no right criticising anyhtign kennedy did or said or stood for- yes, peopel today haven’t got a clue how wodnerful peopel were 30 years ago, yes, peopel today are so much more ignorant than people were 30 years ago, yes, conservatives today aren’t worthy of even beign i n the shadow of yesterday’s liberals

There- ya happy? So srry i thoguht it funyn that your idol said what he said given that he had much handed to him in life- and I’m sorry I’m not lying homeless in a gutter somewhere so that I can ‘earn the privilege of havign an opinion’ abotu a matter-

Thank you for letting us bask in your perfection- it waqs such an honor and privilege- one never to be forgotten-


105 posted on 01/22/2013 10:11:01 AM PST by CottShop (Scientific belief does not constitute scientific evidence, nor does it convey scientific knowledge)
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To: huldah1776
my progressive liberal textbooks. They are scared to death of the psychotic, LSD-like damage it does. [...]

“With higher doses and with certain unstable or susceptible individuals, marijuana can produce extreme euphoria, hilarity, and overtalkativeness, but it can also produce intense anxiety and depression as well as delusions, hallucination, and other psychotic-like experiences. Evidenced suggests a strong relationship between daily marijuana use and the occurrence of psychotic symptoms (Raphael et al., 2005 = Comorbidity: Cannabis and complexity. J. Psychiat. Pract., 11(3), 161-76.)

Text: Butcher, J.N., Mineka, S., Hooley, J, Abnormal Psych 14th edition.

Thanks for the hard facts! They don't sound "scared to death" - and "a strong relationship" doesn't mean that one causes the other.

Most users wouldn’t have this reaction, however, most people are responsible gun users.

Interesting comparison. What do you think we should do about those rare exceptions? Ban guns and marijuana for everyone?

106 posted on 01/22/2013 10:22:25 AM PST by JustSayNoToNannies ("The Lord has removed His judgments against you" - Zep. 3:15)
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To: JustSayNoToNannies

[[Ban guns and marijuana for everyone?]]

Guns don’t cause physchosis- there is however a strong indication based o nthe facts that pot does- and it appears it not just in rare cases either-


107 posted on 01/22/2013 11:11:42 AM PST by CottShop (Scientific belief does not constitute scientific evidence, nor does it convey scientific knowledge)
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To: CottShop; huldah1776
[huldah1776:] my progressive liberal textbooks. They are scared to death of the psychotic, LSD-like damage it does. [...]

“With higher doses and with certain unstable or susceptible individuals, marijuana can produce extreme euphoria, hilarity, and overtalkativeness, but it can also produce intense anxiety and depression as well as delusions, hallucination, and other psychotic-like experiences. Evidenced suggests a strong relationship between daily marijuana use and the occurrence of psychotic symptoms (Raphael et al., 2005 = Comorbidity: Cannabis and complexity. J. Psychiat. Pract., 11(3), 161-76.)

Text: Butcher, J.N., Mineka, S., Hooley, J, Abnormal Psych 14th edition.

Thanks for the hard facts! They don't sound "scared to death" - and "a strong relationship" doesn't mean that one causes the other.

[huldah1776:] Most users wouldn’t have this reaction, however, most people are responsible gun users.

Interesting comparison. What do you think we should do about those rare exceptions? Ban guns and marijuana for everyone?

Guns don’t cause physchosis- there is however a strong indication based o nthe facts that pot does-

Re-read for comprehension: '"a strong relationship" doesn't mean that one causes the other.'

and it appears it not just in rare cases either-

huldah1776 says otherwise, and he's read the textbooks. Where's your evidence?

108 posted on 01/22/2013 12:17:39 PM PST by JustSayNoToNannies ("The Lord has removed His judgments against you" - Zep. 3:15)
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To: CottShop

Ljio fojid lkjlks kdlk kdk a “privileged” kdli lhokd kpw
lkeolfua kfk jio’l.

Olfd he’k you.


109 posted on 01/22/2013 12:28:33 PM PST by donna (Pray for revival.)
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To: donna

Grow up.


110 posted on 01/22/2013 1:07:12 PM PST by huldah1776
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To: JustSayNoToNannies

[[Re-read for comprehension: ‘”a strong relationship” doesn’t mean that one causes the other.]]

My comprehension is fine- your civility however seems to be lacking-

If it doesn’t cause it, then how can there be a correlation between the two? If susceptible peopel are not infact affected’ except in rare cases’ like you suggest, then the evidence showing a ‘strong relationship’ is either false, or mis-quoted-

[[huldah1776 says otherwise, and he’s read the textbooks.]]

Well, that’s fine=- But I know someone who read a book once too and they said pot causes warts- I simpyl asked if there was any actual evidence to show that thsi only happens in rare incidents contrary to the evidence that was cited above

[[Evidenced suggests a strong relationship between daily marijuana use and the occurrence of psychotic symptoms ]]

If gthe efvidence is hsowign the connection- and the rates are higher than in individuals who do not use drugs, then it seems there is a connection between the two and that the drug use is causing higher numbers than in non users. The peopel experiencign the increased psychotic events woudkl not be experiencing increased events if they abstained from the drugs the study found apparently- I’m not seeign how it can be denied that there’s no real connection?

Again, guns don’t cause psychosis, pot it appeasrs fro mthe study does cause an increase in psychotic events- if someoen wasn’t experiencign psychotic events until using pot or lsd or hwatever, and started experiencign htem when using the drugsm, and stopped experiencign htem psychotic events when they stopped gthe rrugs again, it’s pretty clear I woudl htink that the drugs are triggering/bringing on the psychotic events-


111 posted on 01/22/2013 2:35:03 PM PST by CottShop (Scientific belief does not constitute scientific evidence, nor does it convey scientific knowledge)
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To: donna

mym istake- I assumed I was dealign with an adult- obviosuly I was msitaken- run along little girl-


112 posted on 01/22/2013 2:36:13 PM PST by CottShop (Scientific belief does not constitute scientific evidence, nor does it convey scientific knowledge)
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To: CottShop
If it doesn’t cause it, then how can there be a correlation between the two?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Correlation_does_not_imply_causation#Examples_of_illogically_inferring_causation_from_correlation

If susceptible peopel are not infact affected’ except in rare cases’ like you suggest, then the evidence showing a ‘strong relationship’ is either false, or mis-quoted-

Wrong - the strength of the relationship is the size of the correlation coefficient, which has nothing to do with the magnitude of the effect. If all test subjects who take chemical Z grow in height by exactly 0.001 inches, that's a maximum strength of relationship but a low magnitude of effect.

if someoen wasn’t experiencign psychotic events until using pot or lsd or hwatever, and started experiencign htem when using the drugsm, and stopped experiencign htem psychotic events when they stopped gthe rrugs again

No such longitudinal studies have been done.

113 posted on 01/22/2013 2:53:16 PM PST by JustSayNoToNannies ("The Lord has removed His judgments against you" - Zep. 3:15)
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To: huldah1776

Mind your own ekljhifg, LOL.


114 posted on 01/22/2013 2:54:02 PM PST by donna (Pray for revival.)
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To: donna

Wow, you are a bully, and should be ashamed of yourself. I know you have personal issues so if you ever need someone to talk to, just personal message me.


115 posted on 01/22/2013 6:52:06 PM PST by huldah1776
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To: JustSayNoToNannies

[[No such longitudinal studies have been done.]]

Then the quote you posted abotu hte strong relationship wasn’t given based on studies?

[[Wrong - the strength of the relationship is the size of the correlation coefficient, which has nothing to do with the magnitude of the effect.]]

Now wer’e talking abotu hte magnitude of psychotic events? It’s hard following you because hte goal post seems to keep moving- if people who tend ot experriencve psychotic events infrequently take drugs, and experience the events mroe frequently,. how i nthe workld can that not infacvt mean that the drugs have an effect on psychotic events?


116 posted on 01/22/2013 7:42:54 PM PST by CottShop (Scientific belief does not constitute scientific evidence, nor does it convey scientific knowledge)
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To: huldah1776
I was having a nice discussion about JFK and the fact that a “conservative” on FR is posting stuff about the privilege rich.

That kind of thinking belongs on DU.

And then you butted in. Maybe you should go back and read the entire conversation before you start bullying others.

You attacked me. Shame on you.

117 posted on 01/22/2013 7:44:14 PM PST by donna (Pray for revival.)
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To: donna

You were mocking someone’s typing. Get a real life.


118 posted on 01/22/2013 7:47:59 PM PST by huldah1776
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To: donna

Gratee dicsuction!


119 posted on 01/22/2013 7:54:34 PM PST by Revolting cat! (Bad things are wrong! Ice cream is delicious!)
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To: huldah1776

Of course I am. It’s not acceptable to post such junk on FR. There is a spell checker for that.

Why is this person posting that way? That’s what trolls do.

Did you notice that I laughed it off? It was over until you just had to start something.

You are really rude and you are acting superior about stuff you don’t know about.


120 posted on 01/22/2013 7:56:40 PM PST by donna (Pray for revival.)
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